The development framework for the next generation of TV-based apps increasingly looks set to settle on HTML5, as Panasonic and Mozilla today announced a partnership that will see the Japanese electronics giant deploy Firefox OS on its next release of smart TVs.

Released during the latter half of last year, Firefox OS is Mozilla's operating system for mobile devices whose apps are primarily intended to be written in HTML5 and JavaScript.

As part of the partnership, Panasonic will be engineering some of the TV's functionality in HTML5, and will give app developers access to the device's hardware using WebAPI.

"In next-generation smart TVs, basic functions, such as menus and EPGs (electronic program guide), which are currently written as embedded programs, will be written in HTML5, making it possible for developers to easily create applications for smartphones or tablets to remotely access and operate the TV," the company said in a statement.

"In addition, through the web services, next-generation smart TVs can display personalised user interfaces, featuring the user's favourites and even add new functions for multiple users sharing the same screen after devices are purchased."

Panasonic says its TVs will be able to be monitored and operated from within and outside of the home, and make use of cloud services to allow for "cross-leveraged content from the internet and broadcasting".

The arrival of Firefox OS on Panasonic devices is the latest in a series of moves by electronics companies to push HTML5-based apps onto lounge room devices.

LG acquired parts of the open-source webOS from HP in February last year. The deal saw LG gain control of the documentation and other websites related to the project, while HP maintained the rights of access to webOS solutions, its updating service, and control of the application catalogue.

Like Firefox OS, webOS is underpinned by a Linux kernel, with applications primarily intended to be written in HTML5, but apps in C++ are supported as well.

On the pure HTML5 front, Samsung announced last week that it will be making apps from the Opera TV Store available to users of certain models of its Blu-ray players.

Chris started his journalistic adventure in 2006 as the Editor of Builder AU after originally joining CBS as a programmer. After a Canadian sojourn, he returned in 2011 as the Editor of TechRepublic Australia, and is now the Australian Editor of ZDNet.